Following Elene Khoshtaria’s request for certain examinations, all necessary laboratory tests were immediately conducted, claims Giorgi Pataridze, head of the Special Penitentiary Service, who described the statements made by the prisoner’s supporters regarding her health and the provision of medical care as a “theater of the absurd.”
“Fortunately, the laboratory test results are negative for the specific illness the convict was suspected of having. There were no obstacles to admitting her personal doctor to the facility. Only the mandatory minimum documentation was requested – which truly brings a smile to one’s face: a copy of an ID card and a specialist certificate in the relevant field, which, believe me, any doctor should have.
I state with full responsibility: let them provide a copy of the ID card and a certificate confirming that the doctor is a specialist in the relevant field, and access will be granted within a few minutes. She did not have the illness her side is pointing to. The doctor did not come to the facility. The requested doctor never appeared at Penitentiary Facility No. 5,” Giorgi Pataridze stated.
He also noted that the penitentiary service received the request for examinations about four days ago, and no prior requests for medical tests had been recorded from Elene Khoshtaria.
“I emphasize: at her request, the appropriate laboratory tests were conducted, and repeatedly,” he added.
In turn, representatives of the Droa party stated that the process of allowing the treating physician access to Elene Khoshtaria is being artificially delayed by the penitentiary service.